Craftsman Bench Grinder not working

[thegrindstaffs]

I bought a model 397.19580 bench grinder at an auction a few weeks ago. Took it home and it worked great, figured I'd give this restoring thing a shot. I took it apart and cleaned out what felt like pounds of dirt and gunk. I cleaned it the best I could (still learning that part, tips and tricks welcome) then went to reassemble. After reassembly I plugged it and flipped the switch. Heard the motor hum, light came on, but shaft didn't turn. It spins pretty good when turned off, but when turned on the shaft is very hard to turn and never "catches" I have no idea where to go from here. Here are a couple pictures of the under side. Again, if anyone can help me clean this thing up I'd much appreciate it, as well as get it working again. Thank you.

 

[tiggi]

It could be a starter, easiest way to tell is if you turn on the motor and manually spin the shaft by hand. If the motor starts working your starter is bad. They are pretty cheap and easy to replace.

 

[thegrindstaffs]

When I turn on the motor, the shaft does spin, but not near as free as if the motor were off. It almost catches on each turn and takes more strength to spin it. But the motor never does actually start spinning the shaft at a normal speed.

 

[thegrindstaffs]

now to add to the problem, I took the grinder all apart last night and put it back together, hooked up the wiring and flipped the switch. The shaft did not turn at all when turned on (spun freely when off) and the light did not turn on. Everything worked before I took it apart to clean it up.

 

[McBrownie]

Grinds,

You may want to post to the block grinder thread. The experts over there will help.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=157794

 

[torqueman2002]

Hi Grinds,

Welcome to the Dark Side.

Sorry to read you're still having troubles.

Good find on the relay supplier.

Any luck with finding your relay pn: 2CR-14-244 or equivalent?

More details here.
http://www.thegaragegazette.com/index.php?topic=25549.msg346892#msg346892

Also, you may find help with your grinder over at:
http://owwm.org/
http://vintagemachinery.org/

 

[thegrindstaffs]

Thanks McBrownie, I'll try there.

Torqueman, I found the equivalent, but it seems pricey. I wouldn't mind paying the $50 if I knew that's what the problem was but I hate to chance it and still end up with a paper weight.

 

[torqueman2002]

Thanks McBrownie, I'll try there.

Torqueman, I found the equivalent, but it seems pricey. I wouldn't mind paying the $50 if I knew that's what the problem was but I hate to chance it and still end up with a paper weight.

If it was mine, I'd put the $$ towards another Block. Either a 1/3 or 1/2-HP Block.

You can spend more than your current grinder is worth very quickly, unless it has sentimental value (which is priceless).

You might even make your $$ back parting out your current grinder.